Start here: two certificates every crew member needs first
No matter which department you work in, there are two documents every professional yacht crew member needs before anything else:
The universal starting point
- STCW Basic Safety Training (BST), the internationally recognised four-day safety course covering Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Firefighting, Elementary First Aid, and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities. Required for all professional yacht crew. Valid five years. Full STCW guide
- ENG1 seafarer medical certificate, issued by an MCA-approved doctor. Confirms you are medically fit for sea service. Required under the Maritime Labour Convention. Valid two years (one year for some). Full ENG1 guide
These two are non-negotiable. Get them sorted before anything else. Everything below builds on top of them.
Compare providers in the directory: STCW Basic Safety Training courses and ENG1 medical providers.
Choose your department
The certificate ladder, progression timelines, and the nature of the work vary significantly between departments. Pick yours and follow the dedicated guide:
How much does yacht crew get paid?
Pay varies widely by department, rank and vessel size. These indicative monthly ranges show how the departments compare:
| Department | Entry level | Senior role |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | Deckhand €2,500 to €3,500 | Captain €6,000 to €25,000+ |
| Engineering | Junior engineer €3,500 to €5,000 | Chief Engineer €6,000 to €20,000 |
| Interior | Junior stewardess €2,500 to €3,500 | Chief stew or purser €4,500 to €10,000+ |
| Galley | Crew chef €3,500 to €5,000 | Head chef €6,500 to €12,000 |
| ETO | Specialist entry | ETO €4,500 to €8,000 |
Indicative monthly ranges in euros, the industry standard currency. Pay scales with vessel size, rotation and flag, and excludes tips and bonuses. Figures are blended from published 2026 yacht crew salary guides (YPI Crew, Foreland Marine and others); always confirm current rates before relying on them.
What to do once you know your path
Once you have a direction, the practical next steps are the same across all departments:
- Get STCW and ENG1 first, nothing moves without them. Find approved training providers in the YachtSync Training Directory.
- Start keeping records immediately, sea time, certs, sign-offs. Every day counts toward the figures the MCA requires, and gaps are hard to reconstruct later.
- Know your expiry dates, STCW revalidates every five years. ENG1 is two years. Let one expire at the wrong time and you cannot join a vessel.
- Check the current MCA notices, requirements are updated regularly. The governing documents referenced throughout these guides are the current versions; always verify before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How do I become yacht crew with no experience?
Start with STCW Basic Safety Training and an ENG1 medical, then look for an entry-level role: deckhand on deck, junior stewardess in the interior, or junior galley crew. No Certificate of Competency is needed to start. Most green crew find their first job by being in a yachting hub such as Antibes or Palma during the season, walking the docks and registering with crew agencies.
Which yacht department should I choose?
It depends on your strengths. Deck is the most certificate-heavy path and leads to officer and captain roles. Engineering suits the technically minded and is always in demand. Interior is experience-led and service-focused. Galley rewards professional culinary skill. ETO is a specialist electrical and IT route on the largest yachts. Each department guide above sets out the full ladder.
What qualifications do I need to work on a superyacht?
Every professional yacht crew member needs STCW Basic Safety Training and an ENG1 seafarer medical. Beyond that, the qualifications depend on your department and rank, from RYA certificates and MCA Certificates of Competency on deck and in engineering, to the GUEST programme in the interior.
How long does it take to reach a senior yacht role?
It varies by department and by how much sea time you log. Reaching junior officer or chief stewardess level typically takes a few seasons of continuous work. Senior roles such as captain or chief engineer take several years of sea service plus the relevant MCA examinations. Logging your sea time accurately from day one is what keeps the timeline on track.
Do I need a Certificate of Competency to start working on yachts?
No. You can start as a deckhand, junior stewardess or junior galley crew with just STCW and ENG1. A Certificate of Competency becomes necessary as you progress into officer, engineer or senior roles. The interior department can reach senior level without an MCA CoC at all.
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Related guides: Certificate overview for all departments · STCW certification guide · ENG1 medical guide · How to become yacht crew